X-ray Tube Current Control for Fluoroscopy Stabilization
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Solution Overview
Problem
The auto brightness stabilization (ABS) sequence in x-ray fluoroscopic imaging systems is lengthy due to system delays in obtaining image frames, determining brightness, and adjusting radiation source parameters, which prolongs the time to reach stabilized images, especially in time-sensitive medical procedures.
Innovation Solution
The method involves using a predicted brightness of future, stabilized images to determine target x-ray imaging parameters during the ramping of the x-ray tube current, allowing for earlier correction and stabilization, reducing the number of adjustments needed and shortening the stabilization process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the system waits for the x-ray tube current to reach target current before acquiring images and adjusting parameters, then the brightness measurement is accurate, but the time to reach stabilized images is prolonged
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary brightness measurement on the first image acquired during current ramping, and proactively adjusts the target x-ray tube current based on this early measurement, rather than waiting for current stabilization. This preliminary action reduces the overall stabilization time while maintaining acceptable brightness accuracy through feedback adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from the measured brightness of the first image to update and adjust the target x-ray tube current. This feedback mechanism allows the system to compensate for early measurements taken during current ramping, ensuring that subsequent images achieve the desired brightness level despite the reduced waiting time.
2Productivity
If the system acquires images at high frame rate during current ramping, then real-time imaging is achieved, but the brightness of images is unstable
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback control by measuring the brightness of images acquired during current ramping and using this information to update the target x-ray tube current. This feedback loop ensures that brightness stability is achieved over time, allowing high frame rate acquisition without sacrificing ultimate brightness stability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary brightness measurements and target current adjustments during the current ramping phase, enabling real-time imaging at high frame rates from the beginning. This preliminary action eliminates the need to wait for current stabilization before starting the imaging sequence.
3Manufacturing precision
If the system performs multiple brightness adjustments to reach target brightness, then image quality is optimized, but the number of adjustments increases the stabilization time
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs a preliminary brightness measurement and target current adjustment during the first frame acquisition phase, rather than waiting for current stabilization. This preliminary adjustment reduces the number of subsequent adjustments needed, thereby reducing total stabilization time while maintaining image quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the target x-ray tube current parameter based on feedback from early brightness measurements. By adjusting this key parameter proactively during current ramping, the system reduces the number of iterations needed to achieve target brightness, thereby reducing stabilization time.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach decreases the time to reach stabilized brightness, lowers patient radiation exposure, and enables quicker display of images, benefiting time-sensitive medical procedures by utilizing the predicted brightness to adjust x-ray parameters proactively.
Implementation Method 1
an x-ray tube current of the x-ray imaging system is ramping to a target x-ray tube current
Implementation Method 2
such non-invasive imaging technologies rely on various physical principles, such as the differential transmission of x-rays through the target volume
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems are provided for controlling an x-ray imaging system. In one embodiment, a method for an x-ray imaging system includes acquiring, with the x-ray imaging system, a first image as an x-ray tube current of the x-ray imaging system is ramping to a target x-ray tube current, determining a corrected brightness of the first image, the corrected brightness including a measured brightness of the first image corrected by a feedback x-ray tube current relative to the target x-ray tube current, and updating the target x-ray tube current based on the corrected brightness of the first image.